I'm sure some of you heard about what Sheed said about the NBA recently (if not, check the Jail Blazin thread). And now, the NBA's answer to JR, Bill Walton (a former Blazer also) has now chimed in. Enjoy.

It has taken many years, but I finally found something that Richard Nixon said that makes sense. In some recently released tapes, the Tricky One said that he found Ronald Reagan to be "strange" and that "on a personal basis, is terrible" and "just isn't pleasant to be around."

I feel the same way about Rasheed Wallace. It is difficult to imagine, fathom or comprehend the thought processes that led to 'Sheed's despicable comments last week, where he accused the NBA of exploiting young players (saying the NBA drafts young players who are "dumb and dumber") and called out NBA commissioner David Stern (saying "I see behind the false screens. I know what this business is all about. I know the commissioner of this league makes more than three-quarters of the players in this league."),

Idiot wind, blowing every time you move your teeth

But then again, this is a tough person to decipher on almost any front. Wallace is a chronic underachiever, a malcontent, a disruptive force, a negative personality -- and that does not even begin to address his selfishness, emotional immaturity, bitterness and endless anger. I have also personally found him to be a boor and a bully. Those of us with the misfortune of ever having anything to do with this lost soul had to unfortunately accept the lunacy and obnoxious behavior of this sad and pathetic individual.

Every time I crawl past your door, I've been wishin' I was somebody else instead

Wallace's recent comments are not something that are new or representative of a changing man spiraling ever downward into the depths of psychosis. This is who Rasheed is, and has been for quite some time. Probably the most depressing part of this whole tragic saga is how long we have put up with all this nonsense. Playing in the NBA is a privilege that 'Sheed has dismissed and abrogated.

You hurt the ones that I love bestAnd cover up the truth with lies

Wallace has taken full advantage of the sacrifices of others who have given their lives to create something positive and special.

You'll never know the hurt I sufferedNor the pain I rise above

This story is particularly galling because it is taking place in Portland, Ore., a place that I have come to know and love over the last 29 years. Portland and Oregon have always been places that have welcomed and tolerated people who have come there with their own ideas and individual agendas. The people who have built a world of freedom and rugged individualism in this little piece of heaven have always been willing to accept the differences in others, often encouraging dissidents and alternative ways of looking at things.

One day you'll be in the ditch, flies buzzin' around your eyesBlood on your saddle

Many years ago, these same people who are now scratching their heads in puzzlement, disappointment and dismay at Rasheed, opened their hearts to me and ultimately gave me much more love, compassion and understanding than I ever deserved.

The people of Portland have so much to be proud of: a beautiful city, harmonious neighborhoods and communities, a place where people have a chance to be part of something truly special. These people have given me the greatest life that anyone could ever dream. They have also been incredibly forgiving of all of my own transgressions against human decency.

And over time the proud people of Portland and Oregon have built one of the strongest pillars of the NBA: The Trail Blazers. Sadly, this magnificent franchise today stands on the edge of ruin because of the regular and ongoing cruelty and hateful, irresponsible actions of Rasheed Wallace. How can we let this happen? The Trail Blazers and the good people of Oregon are entitled to more.

I noticed at the ceremony, your corrupt ways had finally made you blind

Wallace is an embarrassment and a disgrace. I have waited for nine long years for him to change his evil ways. I have grown old, tired and exasperated -- eventually losing faith and patience. Now, I have lost all hope. It is time for Wallace to take his anger, hatred and ridiculous behavior somewhere else. I have had enough. I'm sick and tired of it all. I want my team back.

I've been double-crossed now for the very last timeAnd now I'm finally free

You're an idiot, 'SheedIt's a wonder that you still know how to breathe

Originally posted by KawshenOne said that he found Ronald Reagan to be "strange" and that "on a personal basis, is terrible">

[/Walton] He was TERRRRIBLE to be around! TEEEEERRIBLE! [off]

And of course the irony is that Walton is to today's generation of pot-smoking Trail Blazers what Grandmaster Flash was to hip-hop.

==Wallace is a chronic underachiever, a malcontent, a disruptive force, a negative personality -- and that does not even begin to address his selfishness, emotional immaturity, bitterness and endless anger.==

Pot, meet kettle

(edited by Blanket Jackson on 18.12.03 1231)If Martha Stewart's obituary had a typo in it, would it read "Beloved Aunt"?

Originally posted by KawshenOne said that he found Ronald Reagan to be "strange" and that "on a personal basis, is terrible">

[/Walton] He was TERRRRIBLE to be around! TEEEEERRIBLE! [off]

And of course the irony is that Walton is to today's generation of pot-smoking Trail Blazers what Grandmaster Flash was to hip-hop.

==Wallace is a chronic underachiever, a malcontent, a disruptive force, a negative personality -- and that does not even begin to address his selfishness, emotional immaturity, bitterness and endless anger.==

Pot, meet kettle

(edited by Blanket Jackson on 18.12.03 1231)

I know that Walton was (and still is) known to speak his mind, but he was not nearly the 'cancer' in the locker room like Wallace is...Is that what you were implying? Walton was always a 'team' player...

Well, yes and no...there are varying accounts of Walton's selfishness/unselfishness during his playing career.

But short of that, he does manage to come off now as a bitter, self-aggrandizing, superior, egomaniacal jackass on TV as an announcer. The television version of Bill Walton never took a bad shot, never made a mental mistake, never failed to find the open man and never dogged it a minute of his playing career. Just ask him.

If Martha Stewart's obituary had a typo in it, would it read "Beloved Aunt"?

So is Walton not allowed to criticize players for screwing up and be a kiss-ass apologist like Steve Lyons?

Rob asks Dave and Ric if they want to go backstage to play Hungry Hungry Hippos and Flair and Batista immediately bail. Flair wants to be Green. Man, EVERYBODY wants to be green. Except the girl in the commercials. She wanted to be pink. That either means that the ad agency was sexist or that she was communist. Of course Hungry Hungry Hippos is a rather capitalist game isnít it? No self respecting communist would play Hungry Hungry Hippos. Except Stalin. He LOVED Hungry Hungry Hippos. God, Iíve got no clue what the hell Iím rambling about anymore.-- Matt "Excalibur05" Hocking, Raw Satire writer extraordinaire

You know, I just can't call it the "WWE." I just can't. My body's rejecting it like a bad liver transplant.-- Bill Simmons, espn.com/page2

I think Walton would be best served to never, EVER call any human being "underachieving". He wins one title coming out of college, and then cannot reach the finals until he was in mop up duty, swinging from Larry Birds nutsack about 20 years later.

Remember, he was thought to be the next Russel or Kareem coming out of college, and never did shit.

It doesn't matter if Walton didn't live up to his potential or that he didn't have the greatest NBA career. He has every right to criticize Rasheed, just like we have every right to criticize pro wrestling, basketball, etc. He just has a grander stage to do so.

Walton made a statement and defended his point articulately. That, to me, is what counts. And I agree with what was said. Rasheed is a locker room cancer and if Portland really IS serious about taking out the trash (Bonzi Wells, for example), then 'Sheed needs to be next to go. There'd be no better way to send the message to the locker room that no one man is bigger than the franchise.

Admit it. You laughed too when you found out Brock was feuding with Sparky Plugg.